Now Viagra can make us LESS stiff — as tests show sex pills relieve back pain

VIAGRA could provide a radical new cure — for stiff backs.

Tests show the sex pill eases sciatica, a painful condition which affects a million UK men and 400,000 women.

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Researchers found a daily dose of the anti-impotence drug speeded rec­overy. Taking it for a month also healed damaged nerves and boosted movement.

Treatment for sciatica, caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve, traditionally involves gentle exercise and anti-inflammatory painkillers.

In some cases, surgery is required to clear it up.

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But scientists in Malatya, eastern Turkey, discovered Viagra could provide relief during tests on 30 rats.

They gave some a daily dose of Viagra for a month, others a smaller amount every other day and a third group no medicine at all.

Rats on daily Viagra ended up with more movement than those in the other groups.

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Scans also showed they had greater levels of nerve regeneration, suggesting the drug had accelerated the body’s healing mechanisms.

The findings back earlier research in Mississippi, US.

The drug mainly works by boosting blood supply to damaged areas. Scientists said in a report: “We believe a daily dose of Viagra plays an important role in treatment of sciatic nerve damage.”